Luso Visits and functions April through July 2011

It’s been a crazy time ending my first year in my journey to Luso President in 2015. I have gotten so overwhelmed that I have lost track of my blogging and haven’t finished the last 5 visits I attended along with my last fundraiser and of course convention. So while my summary may be short it doesn’t mean that each visit wasn’t special.

April 15th, 2011, TAX DAY was our own official visit for Council #3L, YC #1 and Region #2. What can I say about this group of people, is that I am so very proud of all that they do. We are small, but strong and determined to honor our Presidents and members in the best possible way. We started off the visit with a little Beatles music in the back ground to honor President John Perdigao as we know how much he loves the Beatles and I KNOW how that is being that everyone knows how much I have traveled around to see Duran Duran! We also decided that just handing them their gifts this year with a little speech wasn’t good enough. So with the help of our 20-30’s Region President Brienne Peixoto we sent them on a small scavenger hunt to find their gifts which ended up under their chairs. It was a moment of laughter and it was great watching them wander around the room trying to figure out the hints. YC# 1 also performed this year. They performed their 2nd place performance from 2010 from the region of Madeira and once again did it just as they did at the performance at convention with the one exception of having an additional dancer, our very own Youth President Matthew Teixeira. It was great to watch him dance with the youth and become an honorary member if even for one day! I was very happy that day to. I had set a goal of 20 new members for myself when I became a Luso Sales Agent again and was thrilled that I hit my goal and some. We brought in bunch of new members and I couldn’t be happier. Now it’s time to work on the New Year! Once again I’m extremely proud of the Fremont/Union City councils. You have all been the back bone of our area and I’m so happy to be a part of it and love that it’s what has kept me so active in Luso.

My next visit was in Tracy (and unfortunately I do not have the date of that visit.:( ). As usual my partner in crime Brienne came along with me and my parents as we headed our way to the valley to spend an evening with old friends. It was wonderful to see such old Luso friends. We had a nice turn out there with many coming from the bay area to join Frank Silva and his council. It was small but intimate and nice to see that everyone is still working hard to hold on to fraternalism. They are small but strong and I can’t wait to see what else comes out of Tracy.

With a short break, we moved into May and headed out to the valley again for the Gustine Visit on May 14th. I shared the road trip with Brienne and Anthony and we headed out. One thing missing from this trip, STARBUCKS IN GUSTINE!!! WTH!!!! Between texting Monica Xavier looking for coffee, ending up at McD’s and all the laughter the night started off great! We spent the evening with Monica, Paul Teixeira, Anna Bettencourt and everyone else that was supposed to be there! I think it was the first visit all year that I think we actually got into trouble for too much talking and laughing. Go figure!!! It was blast thought. I laughed so much I think I hurt myself. I will say that the food was delicious, and omg the bread was to die for. Sra Pires makes the best bread!!! I might have taken some home if we hadn’t all eaten it during and after dinner! It had been a long time since I had been to the Gustine Visit but I’m glad I came out this time. They are strong and determined and they should be proud of themselves. I see many things happening here and can’t wait to see where it leads them!

The drive home is usually uneventful, but wow this one was pretty eventful, Who Knew!!!

The next day we headed to Mt. View/Santa Clara where they did their visit at park. While normally it’s all good but omg it was raining and chilly. I loved the fact that they didn’t change locations, people made do, put on jackets and had a great time either way. I got there and everyone was already eating the tri tip. The rain came and went but it never took the fun times and the memories of that afternoon. We hung out with Judy Teixeira, Judy Allen, Monica Xavier and Anna Bettencourt. I must say that this last year has been surrounded by these ladies and they have made this last year very memorable and filled with many many laughs. I’m not sure how it happened but at some point there was balloon sword fighting at our table along with candy eating and what not. Great visit by such a strong council. With many Luso Youth Presidents, 20-30’s Presidents and Adult presidents under the belt, they have the knowhow and the pride that we all love to see at our visits.

With no visits until the testimonials for John, Anthony and Matthew, I squeezed in one more fundraiser before the 2011 Convention in San Diego. I was fortunate that Region #2 of the Bay Area allowed us the opportunity to work with them on their successful Comedy Night with Out of the Gutter Comedy from Fall River. With a Steak and Oyster dinner and Portuguese Comedy we had a great dinner and show. The guys from Fall River are funny, take you back to being a Portuguese Kid growing up with parents that just came here from the Azores and just make you laugh until you can’t laugh anymore. My committee of course worked tirelessly in the kitchen, barbecuing the steaks, the oysters, serving and clean up. I could not have done this without their help or their dedication to the committee and my journey to president. It’s because of them that I can continue to do this and I am so appreciative of all they do. A big thank you to the SDES for allowing us the use of the hall, To the Guys of Out of the Gutter Comedy for coming back out to the West Coast and giving us laughs and continuing the friendships we built last year. I look forward to working with you again the near future. To everyone that sponsored, attended and helped, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for us.

In between all this I managed to talk my parents into letting myself, Brienne and a new friend Frank Dias and his daughter borrow our motor home to head out to Casa da Fruta for the annual Luso Picnic. I’m not sure how I managed to talk my parents into letting us take the motor home but with careful driving (thanks Frank) and with all of us being diligent in taking care of the MH we made it to Casa de Fruta without incident. It was a lot of fun participating this year in the picnic. It had been several years since I had been there and I was glad to know that the mosquitoes were fairly gone and I wasn’t going to be eaten alive by the mosquito population of CDF. With music, games, and hanging with my Luso family we had a wonderful weekend filled with laughs, memories and some really good food. I had a blast this year and I hope that I can come again the in future, although I’m thinking the parentals will be taking their motor home next time! Thank you Frank, Sara and Brienne for making this weekend so memorable.

Testimonial visits!!!! It’s come to an end for our Presidents and it’s been quite an honor to go on this journey with them this year. July 9th San Pablo #5C, Region #10 and YC 16 took us to Hawaii for their annual Luau. The dinner as usual was fabulously delicious and began with (Little) Lino’s annual ALLLOOHHHHAAA greeting as we began the visit. I traveled with my best friend this year as he went through this journey as 20-30s President and I’m so proud of the way he represented the 20-30s as well as the society in general. We laughed, we drove, we laughed some more, we even disagreed on many Luso things but one thing for sure is that this year would not have been the same had it not been for him being president and my getting the chance to share it with him. Thank you Anthony for taking me along on your many road trips and letting me be a part of your memories. I’m proud of you and I can’t wait to see where you go from here in Luso. You are a true treasurer for this organization and I hope you never lose sight of that! To John Perdigao and his wife Eduardina and daughter Stephanie, it was an honor to get to spend time with you this year and to get to know you. While I have grown up around John, we didn’t really know each other and I’m glad I had the opportunity to spend time and be a part of the same journey he was on. It was great to be on your board. Great job this year and I hope you have amazing memories of this year!

Sunday, July 10th was Matthews’s testimonial in Sacramento. Can I tell you this has got to be one of the strongest areas as far as Youth that I know. They are strong, passionate and truly seem to love the society and all it offers. I think once again we managed to get into trouble for making too much noise but this time I’m going to blame Danny Sequiera! :p Kidding. We had a blast not just with the adults at our table but with the Youth who sat behind us. What an amazing group of kids we have growing up in this organization who want to move up the lines and do what we have done through the years. I’m excited to see how they all become our next youth presidents, 20-30s presidents, adult presidents and I see a LALIS President in that mix at some point too. Thank you Sacramento for a delicious meal and a wonderful afternoon to honor Matthew. Matthew is the 2nd Youth President from his family in the last 4 or 5 years and he did an amazing job representing our youth this year. I’m proud to have gotten to know him and his parents. We have shared some amazing laughs, memories and have become fast friends in the last year and I know beyond a doubt that your journey in Luso Matthew is now over yet. You have so much more to do for this society and I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. Good luck in College and don’t forget about us Luso People! :p

It’s been a very busy year as I got through my year as Outside Guard and now convention has come and gone and I’m starting my new adventure…but before I get there…I’ll be blogging about the 2011 Convention in San Diego. Can’t believe how behind I really am! Once again thank you to everyone who made 2010-2011 so memorable!!!

Luso Visits and Activities Feb/March

It’s been busy busy busy over the last few weeks and once again I’ve fallen behind on the blogging of my Luso travels. I ended my last blog with sadness and loss that some in our Luso Family had endured. It taught us that life is short and we should cherish every moment we have with our family and friends and I can probably honestly say that is what I’ve been doing over the last 8 weeks or so.

Saturday, February 19th, Santa Clara Council chicken and shrimp dinner. I headed out to Santa Clara with the usual partner in crime, 20-30’s President Anthony Pio and met up with 20-30’s Director of Activities, Monica Xavier, Isabel Matos, Mr. and Mrs. Pascoa, Frank Dias and his daughter Sara and his cousin and friends. Dinner was delicious with Carrot soup, chicken, shrimp and veggies. The dance followed with Manuel Jacinto, Frank Rosa’s little silver case, tequila, dancing, laughter and a really good time. I spent the evening with old and new friends of Luso and I’m really glad to have been able to attend this function. The Youth Council performed their performance from 2010 and everyone just seemed to be enjoying the evening. Thank you to Anthony for being the designated driver that night and for just hanging out with me.

Friday, March 11th, was the Newark council Chicharros (spelling may be off). Even with the bad weather people came out for a great Portuguese fish dinner and dance. I headed out with my parents, meeting up with my cousin Michelle, her son Logan, her father Henry and Frank met us there. Like always there were tons of Luso family members ready for good food and festa! The chicharros were delicious, the music was fabulous and we all had a great time once again. Once again the man with the silver case was there and we enjoyed a little pomegranate.

The fun didn’t stop there that weekend, Sunday, March 13th we headed out to Oakland visit in Hayward. It was far and long drive for us but we made it through. Haha! Always great to see Manuel Rosario, Bernice Pelicas and everyone else that has held this council together always. They had an amazing turn out that was followed by delicious Alactra (I think that’s how it’s spelled) and delicious cake. Mr. Rosario did an awesome job as MC and if I’m correct in saying this, he received a 50 yr pin. Despite the gloomy weather we had a great time with our Luso family!

Saturday, March 19th, YC#1 put on a bus trip to Black Oak Casino to help their queen contestant Monica Amaral in her fundraising. On a very wet and dreary Saturday afternoon, 2 buses headed out to Black Oak, filled with Laughs, too much food and alcohol. From the moment we left SDES Alvarado we laughed, we ate and we made more memories. Little did I know we would even see snow upon arrival, after a slight detour (lost bus driver) through some random town.lol I started the evening off with some gambling and gave up when all it did was take my money. A few of us decided that we no longer wanted to gamble, ate dinner and headed down for some Cosmic Bowling. 3 teams against each other and I have no idea why I thought I could bowl. Lol I was in fact the weakest player but in the end we all had a great time. The ride home was just as entertaining as the ride there even with the pouring rain. I don’t think I’ve ever been caught in such a crazy rain storm. We were soaked through our coats by the time we got home. But it was a great night.

Luso seems to fill our weekends these days and we ended the weekend at the Newark Councils Visit where we had bife a portuguesa. We got a bit of a reprieve with the rain so people were ready to come out and celebrate our presidents that day as well as enjoy a very delicious lunch. We sat with the youth officers and actually had a great time with them. It’s always great to see a youth council, region and adult council continue to grow and become successful. Every year they put on a theatrical performance and they just recently had their first 20-30’s president. It’s always wonderful to see a strong area and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow.

March 27th, myself, my dad, mom and Brienne headed on our furthest trek of 2011, off to Newcastle we went. It was my first time attending this visit and I was really excited to. Not only do they have an amazing youth group but they were also going to install a new 20-30’s Region! I am so proud of Anthony as this will be his 2nd activation of a region this year. I love this youth group, they are so energetic, so talented and always put on such an amazing show. I wasn’t lying when I told them they were our own Luso Broadway group! It’s also amazing to see so many of those parents that are now teaching their kids in Newcastle, some danced when I danced, some were in the youth when I helped them, now they are keeping their youth group active and teaching their kids that it’s all about the fun, the experience and learning about your culture. They always have the most wonderful message and I hope that other groups will look up to them because of it. I know I do!

I’m going to stop this part of the trek here…still a few more to go…but it’s been a very hectic few months. 2010 and the beginning of 2011 remind why I’m still active in Luso and why I’ve chosen the path I have. I simply adore my Luso Family even if we don’t always agree!
Next up to blog, Jantar De Mentiras, Luso #3L Visit and I’m sure I’ll find more to talk about! 
Till then!